chocolate festival 2014

The annual chocolate festival was on April 12th! :] As the name might suggest, it encompassed all things chocolate-related. 35 local shops/businesses make some kind of chocolate-related treat and you buy tickets (in increments of 5) at City Hall for “chocolate tastings.” There was also a 10k Chocolate Chase for HospiceCare, a chocolate brunch, bake-off, live music, pastry chef demonstrations, a chocolate mousse eating contest, and special chocolate-themed entrees and desserts at some of the restaurants throughout the evening.

I started my day off at the Lewisburg Food Locker handing out bags of food to people and decided to stop at the festival before going to church, lest they run out of all the goodies (I’d been given $5 from one of my friends to pick up some things for her since she was mandated to go help out at Habitat for Humanity for the Super Smart People club.)

As per last year’s tradition, our first stop was the Harmony Ridge Gallery because they tended to have really awesome things that ran out quickly (the line had already extended across the street and back by the time we left).

I went to go train/learn BJJ with Dan in the afternoon. I’m kinda sad that I have to leave also because it means I’m going to be losing him as a teacher. :[ He’s full of awesome.

There were several restaurants in town that were doing some kind of a special chocolate-themed entree, so Lynnlee, Elise, Dustin and I decided to go out for dinner. :D We chose Stella’s, a farm-to-table restaurant located inside a restored 1890’s Victorian home. We were sold on their rather enticing food descriptions and compared to most of the other restaurants, their pricing was the most reasonable. One of these days, I need to go there to try their brunch!

After very little deliberation, I decided to get the Rainbow Farms Half Hen with Butternut Squash Mash & Vegetables du Jour. :]

I split a passionfruit creme brulee for dessert with Lynnlee. :D My philosophy on ordering desserts in restaurants basically boils down to whether or not I can recreate it at home, and this is definitely one of the ones I can’t make. It was amazing. <3